Means for controlling a sequence of operations in a metal cutting or like machine



March 5, 1940. A. c. WICKMAN MEANS FOR CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS IN A METAL CUTTING OR LIKE MACHINE Filed May 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.5

March 5, 1940. A. c. WICKMAN MEANS FOR CONTROLLING A SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS IN A METAL CUTTING 0R LIKE MACHINE Filed llay 5, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 5, 1940 i'lED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIKE MACHINE Axel Charles Wickman, Coventry, England Application May 5, 1939, Serial No. 272,037 In Great Britain May 5, 1938 4 Claims.

In my specification of Letters Patent No. 2,095,582 I have described and claimed an invention relating to means for controlling the operation-cycle of metal cutting or like machines, such machines being of the types in which it is normally necessary for the operator in each cycle of operations to actuate a plurality of changespeed or other levers in a particular sequence. The object of the said invention is to provide an apparatus whereby the duty imposed on the cation above-mentioned comprises the combination of a movable member to which a succession of similar intermittent movements can be given by the operator independently of any normal motion of the machine itself, and striking pieces adjustably mounted on the said member, the said pieces being adapted to control the operation of the machine.

In the development of the above described invention I find that a useful modification can be made to meet certain special requirements in which it is not necessary to provide for a large range of variations in the operation-cycle of the machine to be controlled, and this modification forms the subject of the present specification.

The modification comprises the combination with the member which carries the striking pieces, of detachable (as distinct from adjustable) striking pieces, these being adapted to be mounted on the said member in some predeter mined relationship. In particular the invention comprises the combination with the said member, of a detachable member or a plurality of members having one or more striking pieces formed or mounted on it or them in an appropriate position or positions.

As will be seen on reference to my earlier specification, I arranged on a member movable intermittently by the operator, a plurality of adjustable striking pieces. By the use of a sufficient number of such pieces each having an appropriate range of adjustment the one apparatus can be adapted to satisfy a wide variety of diiferent requirements. But for some purposes, in which the machine is required to produce only a limited variety of work pieces, the alternative form of striking pieces forming the subject of my present invention may be more convenient.

In the accompanying sheets of explanatory 5 drawings- Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a sectional side elevation and a front elevation illustratin one form of mechanism embodying the invention. 10

Figures 3 and 4, and Figures 5 and S, are respectively similar views to Figures 1 and 2 illustrating two further forms of mechanism embodying the invention.

The form of mechanism shown in Figures 1 16 and 2 is that in which the striking pieces 11 are carried by a vertically arranged drum a, the latter being rotatable by the operator in a step-bystep manner through the medium of a hand or other lever c and a ratchet device (not shown), 0 as described in my previous specification above mentioned. In applying the invention to such mechanism I form or secure the striking pieces 1' on a sleeve a which is detachably mounted on the drum a between a shoulder a. formed on one 25 end of the drum and a ring a screwed on to the other end of the drum. When the sleeve a1 is in position on the drum a the striking pieces 11 occupy positions appropriate to the changes to be eifected in a given work-cycle. When it is 30 required to change the work cycle, the sleeve 0. is removed and replaced by another having striking pieces disposed in a manner appropriate to the new cycle. i

The drum a is situated in an enclosure g hav- 35 ing at the upper end of its front a window g through which is visible the adjacent portion of the sleeve (1 this portion of the sleeve having depicted on it words, numerals or symbols (not shown) for indicating to the operator the 40 part of the work-cycle in operation at any moment.

In Figures 3 and 4 the invention is shown applied to that form of machine in which the striking pieces l6 are carried by a disc l3 on a cen- 45 tral spindle 2|), the latter being supported in a bearing 25 in a stationary casing 26 which encloses the disc, and being intermittently rotatable by a hand or other lever 0 through the medium of a pawl 2| and ratchet 22. In this exam- 50 ple the disc I3 is formed with a central opening, and is detachably secured by screws or any other convenient means (not shown) to a flange or collar l3 on the spindle 20, the striking pieces It being formed on or secured to the disc 13 so as to extend from its rear face. Also the striking pieces are arranged in positions appropriate to a given work-cycle, and when it is required to change this cycle the disc can be removed or replaced by another having striking pieces disposed in a manner appropriate to the new cycle.

The front of the casing 26 is provided with an opening or window 2'! through which the adjacent portion of the front face of the disc I3 is visible, this face having depicted on it words numerals or symbols (not shown) for indicating to the operator the part of the Work-cycle in operation at any moment.

In Figures 5 and 6 the invention is shown applied to that form of apparatus in which the striking pieces 62 are carried by a horizontally and intermittently slidable member I22 which is actuated by the operator through the medium of a hand or other lever (not shown) in the manner described in my previous specification above mentioned. In this example I mount in an appropriate position or positions on the slidable member I22 a metal plate I 22 or plates which is or are detachably secured in position by screws I22 and on this plate or each such plate I form or secure in an appropriate position or positions the required striking piece or pieces 62. When in position on the slidable member I22 the striking piece or pieces 62 occupy the position or positions appropriate to the changes to be eifected in a given work-cycle. When it is required to change the work-cycle, the plate I22 or any one or each of the plates is removed and replaced by another or others having the striking pieces disposed in a manner appropriate to the new cycle. The striking pieces 62 extend from the rear side of their supporting plate I22 or plates, and on the front face of this plate or plates are depicted words, numerals or symbols (not shown) for indicating to the operator the part of the work-cycle in operation at any moment, these indications being visible in sequence through an opening or window Ill in the removable front ID of the casing (not shown) which encloses the slidable member I22 and its associated parts.

In practice, a range of the above described sleeves a discs I3, or plates IZZ with differently arranged striking pieces would be provided to suit the range of work pieces to be produced by the machine, and a selection from these parts appropriate to the work pieces to be produced would be mounted on the supporting member a, 20 or I22.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Means for controlling the operation cycle of a metal cutting or other machine having a plurality of control members which require actuation by the operator in a predetermined sequence, the said means comprising the combination of a movable member to which a succession of similar intermittent movements can be given by the operator independently of any normal mo tion of the machine itself, striking pieces, and means whereby the said striking pieces are detachably (as distinct from adjustably) mounted on the said movable member so that they can actuate the said control members in the desired sequence during the intermittent movements of the said movable member.

2. Means for controlling the operation cycle of a metal cutting or other machine having a plurality of control members which require actuation by the operator in a predetermined sequence, the said means comprising the combination of a rotatable drum to which a succession of similar intermittent movements can be given by the operator independently of any normal motion of the machine itself, a sleeve detachably mounted on the said drum, and striking pieces provided on the said sleeve so that they can actuate the said control members in the desired sequence during the intermittent movements of the said drum.

3. Means for controlling the operation cycle of a metal cutting or other machine having a plurality of control members which require actuation by the operator in a predetermined sequence, the said means comprising the combination of a rotatable spindle to which a succession of similar intermittent movements can be given by the operator independently of any normal motion of the machine itself, a disc detachably mounted on the said spindle, and striking pieces provided on the said disc so that they can actuate the said control members in the desired sequence during the intermittent movements ofthe said spindle.

4. Means for controlling the operation cycle of a metal cutting or other machine having a plurality of control members which require actuation by the operator in a predetermined sequence, the said means comprising the combination of a slidable member to which a succession of similar intermittent movements can be given by the operator independently of any normal motion of the machine itself, at least one plate detachably mounted on the said slidable member, and striking pieces provided on the said plate so that they can actuate the said control members in the desired sequence during the intermittent movements of the said slidable member.

AXEL CHARLES WICKMAN. 

